---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Holmes Wilson info@fsf.org Date: Sat, Feb 20, 2010 at 4:01 AM Subject: [FSF] Open letter to Google: End the web's dependence on patent-encumbered video formats and Flash To: info-fsf@gnu.org

Dear supporter,

This week, Google's attempt to purchase video codec maker On2 was approved by On2's shareholders. If Google does the right thing, this could be wonderful news for free formats.

The FSF has just posted an open letter to Google, calling on it to free On2's VP8 codec with an irrevocable royalty-free license, and to promote the newly freed video codec through YouTube.

Read why it would be so amazing for free software developers, free software users, and all users of the web if Google does the right thing:

http://www.fsf.org/blogs/community/google-free-on2-vp8-for-youtube/

We feel that this is a very important message for web developers, video creators, and tech-savvy members of the public to hear. Please help us spread it around, particularly here:

http://www.reddit.com/r/technology/comments/b462q/open_letter_to_google_free...

And if you have an account on digg:

http://digg.com/tech_news/Open_letter_to_Google_free_On2_VP8_and_use_it_on_Y...

(It's important that we let people everywhere know about the importance of free software and free formats, so please help spread the word -- but please don't let sharing important news about free software lead to further use of services that promote and use proprietary software.)

Thanks!

Sincerely, Holmes Wilson Free Software Foundation